Turpin Honor Helps Us Understand Our Past
Thank you, Karen Vargas (ERACE Coalition), Tracy Flood (NAACP), Rep. Derek Kilmer and Kitsap Sun for honoring John Henry Turpin (1876-1962) and for bringing the story of this local, American hero to us.
John Henry Turpin was a sailor in the U.S. Navy and became one of the first African American Chief Petty Officers. Among his many accomplishments, Turpin was a Navy boxing champion and, as a civilian, became qualified as a Master Diver. He served in the Spanish-American war, World War I and the Boxer Rebellion. The Bremerton Post Office building on Pacific Avenue will be renamed for Turpin. Well done!
The Kitsap Sun article notes that, after a boiler explosion on the USS Bennington in 1905, “Turpin reportedly saved the lives of 15 men by swimming them to shore one at a time. Eleven other sailors received Medals of Honor for their roles in the event, but Turpin did not.”
Why was John Henry Turpin not awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroism? Our history is not just our past. Our history, as we understand it, follows us. It shapes how we see ourselves and how we behave in the world, now. Unless we come to understand and reckon with our history and how it defines us, we will remain asleep. Thank you again for helping us all gain better understanding of our history, who we are and who we can become. Keep it coming!
By: Mary Ellen de la Pena
Source: Kitsap Sun